Reishi Mushroom Benefits / Uses for Skin, Hair and Health

by Nikitha ·
Published September 18, 2016
· Updated September 18, 2016

Ganoderma lucidum, commonly known as reishi mushroom, is a herbal mushroom known for its amazing health benefits and medicinal properties. It is rich in alkaloids, Triterpenes, polysaccharides, Ganodermic acid and Coumarines. Some of its benefits are as follows:

Benefits of Reishi Mushroom for the Skin:

Eases skin problems:

Studies made have shown that this mushroom can cure various external problems of the skin like sunburns, insect bites, wounds and rashes. This is because of the anti-histamic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic and anti-microbial properties of this mushroom. All these combined help in boosting your immunity and increasing blood circulation, which promote the healing purpose.

Slows down premature aging:

Reishi is rich in Ganodermic acid and Zhi 8-protien, which provide it anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. Both these ingredients are great for making your immune system stronger and for increasing the circulation of blood. When your immune system is strong, the action of free radicals is reduced, so that you get a younger looking skin that is free from wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of aging. With an increase in blood circulation, the elasticity and the tone of your skin is improved. This way the aging process is slowed down, so that you get a clear skin that is young looking and glowing.

Benefits of Reishi Mushroom for the Hair:

Promotes hair growth:

Reishi mushroom is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its role in improving blood circulation. It is also loaded with antioxidants. All these help in making your hair follicles stronger and healthier, which promote better hair growth.

Retains hair colour:

This herb is very effective for retaining the natural colour and sheen of your hair and for preventing premature greying of hair. This mushroom is a natural remedy for maintaining the natural colour of your hair because of its ability to increase blood circulation.

Slows Hair Loss and Balding:

Balding caused as a result of premature hair loss can be treated with this mushroom. You can mix it with other anti-hair-loss herbs and use it for rejuvenating your hair and increase the growth of hair. Stress and free radicals are two of the main causes for hair loss. Reishi mushroom is rich in antioxidants and this helps in getting rid of stress and fight against free radicals, so that your hair grows well.

Health and Medicinal Benefits of Reishi Mushroom:

Anti-cancerous and anti-tumour properties:

Along with radiation and other anti-cancerous drugs, if you include reishi mushroom in your diet, it helps in curing assorted types of cancer effectively. This mushroom can provide you relief from the negative impacts of radiations and chemotherapy and also prevent the growth and spread of tumour causing cells. Moreover, it revitalizes and renews your in-immune system, so that you can recover faster.

Combats depression:

Reishi mushroom has the power to improve your mood and make you calm. So, it acts as a good anti-depressant herb. It is good for treating anxiety and to calm your mind, thus relaxing your body. This way you can overcome depression.

Detoxifies and strengthens liver:

Reishi has the ability to regenerate your liver. The wild variety of this mushroom contains powerful ingredients that have the power to detoxify your liver. This puts an end to the free radical actions and lead way to the regeneration of your liver. It can also ensure proper synthesis of fatty acids and bile, which can speed up the detoxification of the chemicals. Gandosterone contained in this herb has anti-hepatotoxic properties. This makes it beneficial for making your recovery from chronic hepatitis faster.

Helps in losing weight:

Slow metabolism is one of the reasons for obesity and being overweight. When your metabolic rates are increased, the burning of fat is also incre3ased. Consuming this mushroom is an excellent way to increase your metabolism rate. As a result, you will be able to lose weight.

Improves cardiovascular health:

Reshi is very beneficial for keeping your cardiovascular system healthy because of its anti-hypertensive and hypocholesterolemic properties. It can lower the blood pressure and maintain the normal levels of blood pressure. It can also lower the cholesterol levels in the body. This helps in making you less prone to heart and vascular problems like strokes and atherosclerosis.

Natural immune modulator:

Reshi has the power to boost your immune system. It contains rare polysaccharides, which can improve the production of B cells. These cells, along with T cells, have a great role in making your immune system stronger. It can also speed up your recovery from chronic illnesses.

Natural adaptogen:

Consuming this herb can help in lowering stress by making your body more energetic. If keeps the rate of metabolism within normal levels and keeps you calm and relaxed. However, make sure that you have it in moderate amount. An excess of this herb can cause insomnia and palpitations.

Treats allergies:

Being a natural antihistamine, reishi mushroom can prevent the release of histamines when you are attacked with allergies and even hay fever and atopic dermatitis. So, this mushroom is widely used as a herbal remedy for treating allergies.

Nourishes respiratory system:

By consuming this herb, you can get relief from various respiratory issues like asthma, bronchitis, as well as cold and cough, and sinusitis.

Provides relief from inflammatory conditions:

Most of the inflammatory conditions come with great pain. Two such conditions are arthritis and neuralgia. According to studies made, Reishi contains certain compounds that help in providing you relief form he pain that you experience due to inflammatory conditions.

Dangers of Ganoderma:

Reishi mushroom has some side effects that you should be cautious of.

Using this mushroom when you are on immunosuppressive drugs or after you have had an organ transplant may interfere with their functioning.

Having this mushroom for a long time non-judiciously may lead to stomach upset, sore throat, dizziness, rashes on the skin, palpitations and insomnia.

Pregnant women are advised not to use this herb as its impact on them is not known.